1. My son, if you: Have become guarantor for your friend, Have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
2. Have been snared by the words of your own mouth, Have been caught by the words of your mouth –
3. Do this at once, my son, and deliver yourself, For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go, humble yourself, and urge your friend.
4. Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5. Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand, And like a bird from the hand of the trapper.
6. Go to the ant, you lazy one! See her ways and be wise,
7. Which, having no commander, overseer or ruler,
8. Provides her supplies in the summer, Gathers her food in the harvest.
9. How long would you lie down, O lazy one? When do you arise from your sleep?
10. A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to lie down;